COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

Michael Lark's art is absolutely stunning. His style fits the realism of the story. It's a match made in heaven.

"Soft Targets" is available in the trade paperback "Unresolved Targets" and the deluxe hardcover "Jokers and Madmen". The issues (#12-15) are also available through the digital DC store for $1.99 a pop.

I have all four HC volumes of gotham central. They're excellent, I would say IMO it is some of brubakers best work some would argue capt. america but I think burbaker really went all out for these. Rucka always brings his A game when writing so to have them both working on this book you knew it was going to kick ass. And yeah their interpretation of the joker is one of my favourites as well. I guess I'm okay in certain stories with the joker bombs and stuff like that but I think the character works best as a calculated madman that is driven as you said by chaos.

I am behind since I'm a trade guy but after court of owls I can't wait to see what snyder and capullo have up their sleeves for the introduction of the joker.

It's funny as much as we batman fans love killing joke I read an interview with Moore recently where he said if he had it to do all over again he would have gone more campy with it like the adam west show. Thank God he didn't have then inclination when he was writing it. Truly a classic.

jedibanner, one reason for that is DC Comics has been supplying us with a lot material. Marvel hasn't been so inclined. Kudos to Tim Janson for getting Mania the DC Comics hook up. As for the Watchmen coverage, we decided as a wrting staff to review as many of those as possible.

I have to admit ignorance on this once because I just though you guys were buying the comics yourself and then review them, didn't know you were mostly covering the stuff you were getting from different companies.

I understand the Watchmen coverage (don't agree with the idea but, everyone knows this already) because the event itself is large and does have an impact so, great coverage on that one.

I just though it would be nice also to get variaty but I can understand your reviews can be limited if they depend on the stuff suplied to you.

The reviews are always fun and a good read, and since I love comic, always nice to see different things.

Let me clarify a little further, I don't want any misconceptions. Nothing I have reviewed or written about on Comicscape was sent to me from any publisher. From Gotham Central to Underwater Welder- all came from my own wallet/collection. Since I've been writing this column some publishers have started to send me review copies of their books, but they are wildly inconsistent (except Valiant, they are on the ball, but I'd be covering them anyway. I'm sure you've deduced I am a Valiant-head), and they never dictate what I write about. The current situation with all the DC books is really just a coincidence. Our intrepid reporter, Tim Janson, sweet-talked DC in to sending him books, so that's why there's been so many DC reviews (Annuals, Zero issues etc.), but again- Tim would be buying most of these anyway, and in the case of the Zero issues, it's a boon for us because buying 52 comics at $2.99-$3.99 a pop is, well, wallet killing.

My plan for Comicscape will always be the same- find interesting or important things that will get people to read comics. I try to give a variety (the last few weeks have been- Valiant, Michael Oeming, Spider-Man, Underwater Welder, Batman/Joker), and to be honest, I have sacrificed some hits and traffic to make sure I get some smaller books the attention they deserve (Bob, you didn't just rea that), I could easily just follow Marvel and DC every week, but that would defeat the purpose of this column in my eyes. Believe me- there is a huge back log of publishers, creators, and characters I want to get to, but I do try and strike when the iron is hot (look for my AvX wrap up in two weeks).

Jedi, you are our most consistent and loyal commenter, please keep it up!

Hey I have been on here since comicscape came back and I'm glad you've brought it back Joelr. Hell I'm trying to get other people on the other boards to come over here since it seems me, Jedi, and you are the only people who really hit this article up each week. Except for the marve/dc stuff which you seem to get a few extra hits. Was wondering to myself just the other day why we have some many passionate fans about the effing avengers movie but when it comes to the actual comics on a genre site nobody seems interested, but I digress.

And for the record I really appreciate the fact that you hit up the independent stuff. Comics aren't just about two publishers and superheroes 24/7. I like the fact that you keep it pretty evenly spread with the indies and major publishers. Keep it up.

I really like your column Joel and I appreciate your details mentionned above, it gives a better perspective on the work you do for Mania.

I'm sure there must be a lot of choices to do when preparing a column, like Shac mentionned your independent stuff is always appreciated. I wouldn't like just a Marvel or DC articles but also, some suggestion on the Image or Radical books and yes, even Valiant is always a good refresher.

Maybe I'm just being greedy by wanting more from you guys cause I like what you do a lot so...keep up the good work and anything is appreciated, will wait for the A Vs X rap-up because I think the series was fun (especially now that Hulk is involved somehow)...and if you ever need help on different books, let me know.

Gotham Central was my guilty pleasure for its entire run. Rather than an Arrow series, I would jump with joy if this one would grace the small screen, or an anthology series with different short stories of different 'real' people in the DCU.